My yearly tradition. You know the routine, list places that you had a memeorable meal, preferably the first time you have been there (but not necessarily). I have used these lists in the past to find new places.

1) Federalist, Wash DC - in Jefferson Hotel, very nice2) Fiola, Wash DC - excellent, had a nice Casanova de Neri3) Elements, Primland Resort, Va - nice place in stunning resort4) Theos, Pinehurst, NC - good Greek food plus other choices5) Husk, Charleston, SC - highly acclaimed place worth the hype, Southern food made fancy6) Chef's Table, Winter Garden, Fl - great food in a cozy setting; great craft beer selection7) Beckett's Table, Phoenix - appetizers to die for, nice variety to menu8) El Chorro, Phoenix - fun place with good food9) Two Chefs, Phoenix - top of the line food in Royal Palms resort10) Hash House a GoGo, San Diego - breakfast joint with over-sized portions11) Hodad's, San Diego - burger joint on beach, really good (but probably not good for you)12) Vanilla, Newcastle, Northern Ireland - one of best place's I have been, near Royal County Down Golf Club

1) Schwa - Chicago, IL (repeat visit but still my favourite restaurant meal of the year hands down)2) Eleven Madison Park - NYC3) WD-50 - NYC4) 10Tation Catering - Toronto, ON at the PLL/Cos offline - not sure if this counts as a reastaurant, but I'm including it anyway because the food was that good!

Life without wine?...... Yeah Right.The Unexamined Life Is Not Worth Living - Socrates"Wine....offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing which may be purchased" ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1889-1961)

Originally posted by billhike:Vie in Western Springs, IL. Two offlines as well as a friend's 50th b-day all this year. Excellent food and service each time.

Prime NY strips in the kitchen of thelostverse. No two ways about it, he is the Meat Master!

Bill, you are too kind.

I was going to mention Vie - it is exceptional. Going back to Balena tonight for my wife's birthday dinner and then to Book of Mormon. We ate at Balena before going to see Les Mis last month and enjoyed it so much we are taking the family tonight. We should do an offline here in the future.

Market at the One and Only Resort in Palmilla was spectacular. Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten set up a wonderful menu with Euro-Asian cuisine in Mexico. Who'd of thunk it?

I look forward to this thread every year Scbeerman. There are always new spots people list that I want to try.

For me 2012 was another good year in food and these were my favorites of the year:

1. Marea, NY – The top 3 could have all been #1 it was so close, but I chose Marea because it was so unexpected. I’m sure I’m over hyping this place now and others will have the opposite reaction, but it was just so good in its simplicity. Perfect crudo to start, an amazing pasta with octopus and bone marrow and a wonderfully prepared branzino. A truly great lunch and like I said, it was just simple cooking with the best ingredients you can find which is why I love Italian food so much.

2. L’Atelier, Paris – Our second time to this location and it was just as magnificent. Dish after dish on the tasting menu wowed us for the quality of the ingredients and the playful preparation. An awesome concept that is right in our wheelhouse.

3. Le Bernardin, NY – Second time here as well, but this was even better than the first. The kobe beef and langoustine tartar topped with an exaggerated amount of caviar was so decadent but light at the same time. Eric Ripert is the man.

4. Sushi Zo, LA – We eat a lot of sushi (probably 80% of our going out budget) and this was the best sushi of the year again. It is very traditional and they only use the very best ingredients at this tiny place in a random strip mall in LA. Actually better for lunch than dinner as it’s not as crowded so you get a little more personal attention from the chef.

5. Ledbury, London – I have probably been here over 50 times, but it was nice going back after a 2 year layoff. The cooking has not dropped off and we had another wonderful dinner here with good friends and great wines.

6. Aziza, SF – Dined her just last week and was really impressed. I would be there a couple times a month if I lived nearby. Modern take on Moroccan food that is really well done.

7. The Publican, Chicago – This place was really fun and accommodated our big group with ease. Best dish was roasted chicken with sausage and fries put all together on a big platter in the middle of the table. Another place I would be at all the time if I lived close by.

I’m sure there are more, but that is all that comes to mind for now. Lots of great local Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Chinese and Korean places that deserve mention for their QPR, but the list is just too long.

Best single bites of food for the year were the pasta with octopus and bone marrow from Marea, the tartar from Le Bern and the oxtail and bone marrow fried rice from Blue Ribbon Sushi in NY.

Most disappointing restaurant experience by far of the year was Eleven Madison Park. Between my wife and I we had about 10 different dishes and I would not re-order any of them. There was just nothing about the cooking or presentation that we hadn’t seen many times before or had a better version of. Really odd considering all the great things we had heard about this place. I will say the service and especially the wine service was really excellent.

Exprienced many outstanding restaurants during a trip to southern England this year. Picking #1 is very easy, though:Fifteen @ Watergate Bay, Cornwall, the best in all categories, food, originality, service, athmosphere

There is nothing in our intelligence that has not passed by the senses. (Aristoteles)

I had to wait until I wrapped up my recent trip to Italy this week and confirm a couple of restaurants that I was sure it would make the Top 10.

1. Antica Osteria da Divo (Siena) - my second experience was as great as ever. Beautiful setting. Professional presentation and service along with well-prepared dishes. Had a '96 Bruno Paillard Assemblage for about 100 euros.

3. The Old Pink House (Savannah) - a great space with different dining rooms. Southern- and low-country inspired dishes that were very tasty.

4. Upstairs at 21 (New York City) - a beautiful art-deco dining room with murals of NYC from the mid-20th Century. It was intimate space that probably can hold 35 people, but they purposely seated diners at different times so that they were only 20 in the room at one time. The menu was straight-forward but well executed on the night we were there.

5. Magnolia's (Charleston) - our best dining experience in the city. All the dishes we tried were delicious especially the fried-green tomatoes with cheese grits!

6. The Garden Court at the Palace (San Francisco) - one of the best dining spaces I've been in. We went for brunch which was typical high-end fare. The attraction was the space.

7. Hostaria dell'Orso (Rome) - had dinner on Xmas Eve. GF said she had the best pasta dish ever. I don't recall the name, but it was a thicker tagliatelle with eggplant and other vegetables. Great service. There were more Americans than locals, but the food was fresh and modern Roman.

9. Gentleman Farmer (New York City) - BYO Sundays. Several offlines including one with MJAlbers and the NYC crew. Delicious menu. Great space.

10. G-man's House -- we had a pot-luck dinner with noiregonian and TPE. G-man's ribs, TPE's vintages of Dom Perignon, noiregonian's take on pulled pork in lettuce cups, lobster risotto were all fabulous. I would have ranked the experience higher had g-man not burned the pork belly in the oven.

11. Trattoria Marione (Florence) - typical Tuscan menu. Just order anything from their specials. It was crowded with a 50-50 mix of Italians and Americans. Service was still excellent.

Originally posted by winetarelli:Without thinking of runners-up, Mélisse in Santa Monica.

It’s a great restaurant. Last time I was there I had an epic meal with gkapoor and his wife. I can’t remember if that was in late 2011 or early 2012. Either year, it would be in my top 10 of that year for sure.